Senate to consider bill named in memory of Guernsey County teen

COLUMBUS -- Drivers who flee the scene of accidents that cause serious injury or death would faced increased criminal penalties, under legislation approved by the Ohio House this week.

HB 397 was OK'd on a vote of 88-1 and heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

Under existing law, fleeing the scene of an accident that causes serious injury is considered a fifth-degree felony, while fleeing one that causes a death is a third-degree felony. HB 397 would increase the penalties for both to a second-degree felony, with potential prison terms of 2-8 years.

The bill is named in memory of a Guernsey County teen, Brandon Pethtel, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident.

"The goal of HB 397 is to reduce the number of hit-and-run accidents within our communities by deterring drivers from fleeing the scene," Rep. Brian Hill (R-Zanesville), primary sponsor of the bill, said in a released statement. "With this law, fleeing the scene of the accident would hurt an offending driver's chances of seeing a lesser charge and ensure that more drivers take responsibility for their actions."

Marc Kovac is the Dix Capital Bureau Chief. Email him at mkovac@dixcom.com or on Twitter at OhioCapitalBlog.